on the minds of moms

www.onthemindsofmoms.com

PUBLISHER DS Communication, LLC

EDITOR Dani Parkos Fluge

COPY EDITOR Deb Uglem

ADVERTISING Sheri Kleinsasser Stockmoe phone: 701.306.1624 e-mail: sheri@onthemindsofmoms.com

PHOTOGRAPHY Ria Czichotzki – Rialee Photography Scott Thuen – Thuen Design

DESIGN AND LAYOUT Scott Thuen – Thuen Design

AD DESIGN Lindsay Arneson Casie Beldo Scott Thuen

EDITORIAL CONTACT e-mail: info@onthemindsofmoms.com

INFORMATION mail: PO Box 190, Fargo, ND 58107

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES phone: 701.306.1624 e-mail: advertise@onthemindsofmoms.com

SUBSCRIPTION e-mail: info@onthemindsofmoms.com or visit: www.onthemindsofmoms.com

COVER PHOTO BY Rialee Photography www.rialeephotography.com

Wow…what a first year for OTMOM! It’s hard to believe sixteen months ago we were master minding our thoughts, ideas, hopes and dreams over endless pots of coffee. Two average gals with the mom title knowing what we liked and exactly what we wanted. Our vision to offer a feel-good, real-life, modern publication any mom would get a kick out of reading, quickly became a reality and a third child for us both.

OTMOM MISSION STATEMENT

On The Minds Of Moms is dedicated to providing a community of local support and real-life advice for the modern day mom who is on the go and needs to know. We are inspired to help the woman behind “the mom” balance it all by offering support, validation and reassurance she is a good mom wanting only the best for herself and family.

On The Minds Of Moms is a quarterly magazine written by, for and about local moms in the greater Fargo-Moorhead area. On The Minds Of Moms strives to achieve a balance between useful information and entertaining content. Written to serve as the local reading alternative to family magazines that are produced for a larger regional/ national audience.

On The Minds Of Moms contains views from across the parenting spectrum. These views do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All activities listed in these pages are at your own risk and require appropriate supervision.

Little did we know the start of this journey would give us so many lasting impressions. New friends, new perspectives and a new sense of accomplishment continue to fill our days. Of course, OTMOM would be nothing without our peeps…advertisers, writers, ad designers and all the moms and dads who have graced the pages of OTMOM. Truth be told though, it’s our behind the scene super-heroes, Scott and Ria who help us bring this crazy idea to life each quarter. Thanks a million.

And finally, we dedicate this issue to our girls, Seely, Shya, Nora and Grace. You are the inspiration for this leap of faith and we hope one day you will be as proud of us as we are for being your moms.

Cheers!

dani & sheri founders & inspired moms

melissa uetz writer | fargo

Born and raised in Fargo, Melissa enjoys having a full house. She shares her home with her wonderful husband Erik, their two-year-old son Harris, three cats, a dog, and several dust bunnies. Melissa is returning to the classroom this fall as an autism spectrum disorder teacher for the West Fargo School District, but will continue doing dishes and kissing owies on the side.

dr. melissa mcculley

writer | fargo

A Fargo native, Melissa is the originator of McCulley Optix Gallery. Her love for travel has taken her to Chimbote, Peru and Santa Ana, Costa Rica where she has provided eye-care and eyewear to needy populations. She looks forward to continuing these missions abroad and developing programs for the local area. Melissa and husband, Rial, celebrated their one year anniversary this past summer.

Patricia Carlson

writer | dilworth

Patricia sharpened her writing skills while sending e-mail travelogues back to her family and friends while living abroad. She wrote about sleeping in a sheep shearing barn in Australia and gaining 30 pounds eating cheese every night in France. Now, she spends her time writing about all the crazy things people do and say in the FM area. In her spare time, Patricia owns and operates Life Done Right Professional Concierge Service brooke erstad writer | fargo

Co-founder of Apex Physical Therapy and Wellness Center in West Fargo, Brooke has her doctorate in Physical Therapy and advanced training in Women’s Health. She has a strong passion for working with women and provides customized treatment plans based on each patients needs. Brooke enjoys running, judging gymnastics, scrapbooking, and when the snow thaws watching husband Bryan’s baseball & softball games.

Sandy Smith

writer | west fargo

—Anonymous

Founder of the ND Autism Center [NDAC] in Fargo, Sandy is active in statewide autism advocacy groups and is passionate about creating awareness for children with autism. Aside from her volunteer work she is employed full time at Microsoft in Fargo. Sandy and husband, Gene are parents of two grown daughters, Darcy and Sarah, who both work at the NDAC and their sevenyear-old son Tyler.